Job summary
The post is split between Cell isolation duties, routine Quality Control work e.g. monitoring of the labs and following established techniques, and Quality Management.
The post holder is responsible for the day to day running of the Cell Isolation Unit for isolation of human hepatocytes to GMP standards. The duties will include monitoring the performance of the laboratory, as well as undertaking the routine Quality management for the group. They also will be trained to become a main operator for the cell isolation process, aiming to produce high quality cell for clinical administration.
Main duties of the job
- Assist in the isolation, cryopreservation, thawing and preparation for administration of human hepatocytes from unused donor liver for clinical cell transplantation.
- Perform liver-processing procedures when donor organs become available, both within and outside normal working hours, following the team rota.
- Responsible for the day to day running of the Cell Isolation Unit, as well as the day-to-day Quality management for the Hepatocyte Group, with the help of the Head of Quality.
- Responsible for all the group documentation management using QPulse as Quality Management software.
- Assist in the quality control of hepatocytes isolated from liver resections and other tissue sources for research to enhance the understanding of human cell transplantation.
- Develop/put into place new cell assays as necessary for the clinical work.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King's to another level.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Hepatocyte Transplantation Group was established in 2001 to prepare human liver cells from donor organs under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions for clinical use. The activity takes place in the Cell Therapy Unit (CTU) where 4 other groups undertake cell and gene therapy manufacture. This unit is accredited by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) for cell isolation and storage and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the production of Specials or Investigative Medicinal Products.
Hepatocytes (liver cells) are isolated from human liver tissue under sterile conditions and are prepared for infusions into paediatric patients with metabolic liver disease. If cells are not used immediately, they are cryopreserved and kept frozen in a Cell Bank until required. The Hepatocyte group have also developed an advanced therapy medicinal product involving cell encapsulation for the treatment of children with acute liver failure, whose manufacture also takes place in the CTU under GMP.
The post holder is a member of a multidisciplinary team developing the use of hepatocyte transplantation in children with liver-based metabolic disorders. They will be based at two locations: the Institute of Liver Studies laboratories and the Cell Isolation Unit, both within the Cheyne Wing at Kings College Hospital.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Hepatocyte Transplantation Group was established in 2001 to prepare human liver cells from donor organs under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions for clinical use. The activity takes place in the Cell Therapy Unit (CTU) where 4 other groups undertake cell and gene therapy manufacture. This unit is accredited by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) for cell isolation and storage and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the production of Specials or Investigative Medicinal Products.
Hepatocytes (liver cells) are isolated from human liver tissue under sterile conditions and are prepared for infusions into paediatric patients with metabolic liver disease. If cells are not used immediately, they are cryopreserved and kept frozen in a Cell Bank until required. The Hepatocyte group have also developed an advanced therapy medicinal product involving cell encapsulation for the treatment of children with acute liver failure, whose manufacture also takes place in the CTU under GMP.
The post holder is a member of a multidisciplinary team developing the use of hepatocyte transplantation in children with liver-based metabolic disorders. They will be based at two locations: the Institute of Liver Studies laboratories and the Cell Isolation Unit, both within the Cheyne Wing at Kings College Hospital.
Person Specification
qualifications and skills
Essential
Desirable
Person Specification
qualifications and skills
Essential
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
